Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Game #3 - at Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins (1-1-0) at New York Rangers (2-1-0)

The Rangers lost their most recent game, to the Flyers. The won the two to open the season previous to that. Brendan Shanahan has been a hit so far in the Big Apple, with three goals on 21 shots in the first three games. The Rangers also have several alumni of the Penguins, including Straka, Rosival, Kasper, and most notably, Jagr. We won't see Kasper, but everyone else should be playing.

The major weak point of the Rangers so far is that they're just 1-17 on the power play so far. Add that to the Penguins recent success on the penalty kill, and that's a good sign for the Flightless Birds.

I am hating the Rangers less these days, mainly because of the salary cap. I think the Flyers are taking over the #1 spot on the hate-o-meter. However, there is still enough left for those overpriced blue-coated bums from the Garden, especially when the signing of Shanahan just feels like something the Rangers of old would have done.

The first road game of the young season will be a good barometer to see how the team responds to a loss, as well as how they play away from the friendly confines of the Igloo. You have to wonder if the bright lights of the big city will have Staal and Letang looking like a deer in the headlights. Let's hope not.

1 comment:

1) The Flyers forwards exposed some weaknesses in the ranger defense2) We think if the Flyers can do that, then certainly the Pens should be able to exploit those same defensive liabilities3) The key will be if the Pens can contain the ranger forwards, though Jagr is still only playing at 75-80%